The Great Sage Returns from Ten Years of Imprisonment

Ling Yun smiled and nodded with a hint of pride.

"Judging from the current market trend, our chances of winning this bet against Goldman Sachs and Barclays in stock index options are indeed very high."

"As long as there isn't a dramatic reversal in the market in the next hour, we'll win this stock index options bet and make a fortune."

"But it's practically impossible for Goldman Sachs to fully accept this outcome and honor their bet; they would never pay such an astonishing amount in compensation."

"More likely, Goldman Sachs will take the initiative to negotiate with Yuanda Group, determine a lower compensation amount, and add some other conditions to settle this matter."

"This is one of the strategies I devised. Given Goldman Sachs' position and influence in the international financial market, we really can't corner them; we can only nibble away at them slowly."

Director Li and Chairman Lou exchanged a glance and simultaneously gave each other a thumbs up.

"You have a very insightful understanding. You young comrade are indeed well-versed in the essence of international struggle. Your bet with Goldman Sachs is definitely not just a financial contest."

"Goldman Sachs is different from most international financial institutions; it has a very strong political background, the best proof of which is the current US Treasury Secretary."

"Its influence in American politics is likely far greater than we realize; Goldman Sachs is one of the most important components of the deep government in the United States."

"In light of this, although you won this bet very well, you still need to be mindful of your methods when reaping the rewards in the future. You could try some exchanges of benefits..."

At this point, Director Li's smile deepened, and he nodded slightly to Lingyun.

Ling Yun understood the subtext of his words perfectly.

The exchange of benefits mentioned here refers to media resources such as Goldman Sachs-controlled Universal Television Network, eleven local North American television stations, and the well-known Weather Channel.

Goldman Sachs, having lost its bet, is certainly unwilling to pay tens of billions of dollars in compensation, but they can use these media resources to offset part of the debt.

As Lingyun said before, these media resources are a double-edged sword for Goldman Sachs – they're neither useful nor worth discarding!

But for China, it is a strategic resource that is hard to come by!

If we have the opportunity to acquire these media resources, we absolutely cannot let it pass us by!

Ling Yun looked at Director Li, ready to give a response.

Just then, Mr. Chen from CIC suddenly exclaimed excitedly:

Breaking news: The German government has just issued a statement opposing the EU's establishment of a unified bailout fund. Germany has decided to first bail out its own financial institutions before bailing out financial institutions in other countries.

"Upon the release of this news, the decline in major European stock markets accelerated sharply, with the German DAX index falling below 7% and the French CAC40 index dropping by more than 8%..."

Upon hearing this breaking news, everyone immediately turned to look at President Chen.

Then they shifted their attention to several electronic screens.

as predicted!

European stock markets have fallen even more sharply, which is still considered relatively good.

The stock markets of the other small European countries are simply unbearable to look at; many have seen declines exceeding 20%.

Seeing this, Ling Yun smiled and said:

"The Germans are cutting off our lifeline; this will utterly disillusion the financial markets with the coordination and effectiveness of their bailout policies."

"Especially those smaller European countries, when they learn that major powers like Germany and France will not come to their rescue, their stock markets will inevitably experience a panic sell-off..."

As we were talking, the three major U.S. stock market indexes hit new intraday lows again!

Affected by the crash in European stock markets, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 5.3%, and the S&P 500 fell by more than 5%.

The decline in financial stocks, in particular, was even more dramatic.

Specifically, Citigroup fell by as much as 8%, and Bank of America fell by 7%, among others.

Stimulated by the news of the failed bet, Goldman Sachs' stock price plummeted by as much as 16%, so much so that even its own mother wouldn't recognize it!

As the US stock market plunge intensified, cheers erupted in the office area of ​​the United Securities investment team outside.

Inside the meeting room, everyone's eyes shone with excitement.

Several executives who knew about Yuanda Group's bet on stock index options with Goldman Sachs and Barclays were quite envious.

At this moment, they wished their own company could replace Yuanda Group, engage in a bet with Goldman Sachs and Barclays, and make a fortune.

Looking at Ling Yun again, he still maintained a confident and composed demeanor.

He glanced at the stock market data of various European and American countries on the electronic screen, then changed the subject.

"Everyone, get ready. Major European stock markets and US stocks will soon hit my stop-loss levels. At that point, all investment teams will immediately begin closing out their positions."

"European stock markets must complete the liquidation process before the market closes, and all short positions in the US stock market must be closed before 3:00 AM..."

His words immediately caused a stir in the meeting room.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone started discussing it.

"Unbelievable! These two liquidation lines were triggered so quickly. I couldn't quite believe that European and American stock markets would plummet like this. Now it seems my imagination was limited!"

"You bet I thought so too before, but now I realize that reality is far more magical and exaggerated than I imagined!"

"Given the crazy crash in European and American stock markets, shouldn't we consider closing our positions tomorrow night? They're likely to continue their downward trend tomorrow night, so closing our positions then would mean we could make even more money!"

Everyone was chattering away, expressing their feelings and opinions, and everyone was extremely excited.

Ling Yun glanced at everyone, smiled, and said loudly:

"Today is a super black swan event. At the current rate of plunge, the global stock market capitalization will evaporate by at least two trillion US dollars today, a staggering loss."

"European and American countries will never allow such a crazy plunge to continue. After the US stock market closes, governments around the world will definitely introduce a series of rescue policies and do everything they can to stabilize the financial market."

"The most effective and likely market rescue policy is a coordinated interest rate cut by global central banks. If this actually happens, the stock markets in Europe and the United States will experience violent fluctuations tomorrow, with both rises and falls."

"For us, there's no need to take that risk. We've already made enough money this time. Let's not try to squeeze out the last penny; that's too conspicuous and doesn't fit our style of making a fortune quietly..."

"Hahaha"

Everyone chuckled and nodded in agreement.

After Lingyun's analysis, the few people who originally planned to close their positions the following night immediately changed their minds.

Just then, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced another rapid decline, breaking through the -6% margin call level.

"Everyone get to work, close the positions immediately!"

Ling Yun decisively issued the transaction order.

"Got it, enjoy our performance!"

Several investment directors responded in unison, got up and left the meeting room to convey the trading instructions.

As soon as they stepped outside, Director Li suddenly leaned closer and whispered:

"Xiao Ling, given the current drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, if we settle this stock index options bet now, how much money will Goldman Sachs have to pay to Yuanda Group?"

Upon hearing this question, both Mr. Wang and Mr. Sun immediately looked over with curiosity.

Ling Yun glanced at the soaring Dow Jones index and chuckled as he gave a number that was sure to shock everyone.

"Given the current decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, if the bet were to end immediately, Goldman Sachs' losses would amount to a staggering $135 billion..."

When this number was announced, Director Li and his colleagues were so shocked they almost jumped up.

"What? $135 billion? That's going to kill Goldman Sachs!"

"My God, this loss is terrifying. Given Goldman Sachs's consistently arrogant attitude, are they really willing to pay such a huge sum?"

Meanwhile, in New York.

Goldman Sachs headquarters building, CEO's office.

"No matter what method you use, you must immediately settle this damn stock index option betting agreement. If the Dow Jones drops a few more points, Goldman Sachs will lose to someone else."

Lourdes roared in exasperation.

The floor in front of the desk was a mess.

There were shards of broken glass, a valuable gold pen and other office supplies, and a completely wrecked laptop.

Standing opposite the risk control director and investment director, you can clearly see patches of coffee stains on their bodies.

Needless to say, this was all Lauder's doing.

As soon as he finished speaking, the investment director reluctantly chimed in:

"This stock index option betting agreement is so damn insidious! We have to wait another half hour before we're qualified to propose settling this agreement!"

"Our current losses amount to over $140 billion. Even if we immediately terminate this betting agreement, we'd still need to pay $140 billion to Yuanda Group. Are we really going to pay that?"